Friday newspaper round-up: Aldi, Richard Desmond, Collateral

The grocery industry watchdog is to make a rare intervention in a Yorkshire sprout grower’s £3.7m legal case against Aldi over the discount chain’s decision to terminate a long-term supply deal. In papers filed at the high court, W Clappison Ltd, which produced sprouts for Aldi’s UK arm for 13 years, said its supply agreement was ended in February last year at planting time without reasonable notice so it was unable to find new clients immediately. It said it was forced to cease sprout production and sell off its machinery. – Guardian

The media tycoon Richard Desmond is set for a courtroom showdown with the Gambling Commission that could cost good causes tens of millions of pounds, the Guardian has learned, after he rejected a settlement offer linked to his failed bid to run the National Lottery. Desmond launched a high court challenge in 2022 after the commission awarded the 10-year National Lottery licence to the Czech operator Allwyn, rejecting bids from his Northern & Shell business, as well as the incumbent Camelot. – Guardian

More than half of people in the UK receive more in benefits than they contribute in taxes, official figures show. A total of 52.6pc lived in households that received more from the state than they paid to the Treasury last year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The figures underscore the challenge facing Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves as they try to tackle a ballooning sickness benefit bill and pressures from an ageing population. – Telegraph

The City regulator has invited hundreds of people caught up in an investment scandal to come forward to receive an apology and compensation after admitting it was guilty of “material” failings including allowing false information to be published on its own register for two years. The Financial Conduct Authority said it was sorry for its mishandling of a fraud at Collateral, a failed peer-to-peer lending platform, and is offering modest payments to investors in recognition of the “distress and inconvenience” caused by its errors. – The Times

The number of cars rolling off British production lines fell by almost a third in November to the lowest level for the month since 1980, amid industry upheaval and weak consumer demand. A total of 64,216 units were manufactured in the month, down 27,711 on November 2023, in the ninth consecutive month of decline, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). – The Times